The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-06-16
PHILOSOPHY OF SLANG.
A Professor Of Beiles-Lettres Gives q His'
tory Of the Use Of Figurative Terms.

A Professor OF Beiles-Lettres Gives q His.
tory Of the Use Of Figurative Terms
''The every day idioms Of the Ian
guage commonly called slang are not
so worthy of unqualified condemnation
as many prudish people suppose" OBJ
served a professor of belles-lettres to a
porter the other day.
'sThey have adirect figurative signif-
canoe and give scope to an inventive
fancy. For example, the expression
You make me tired indicates to a
shade the feeling of lassitude inflicted
by bore. Again, the phrase What
are you giving us?' is merely figura-
tive way Of expressing incredulity.
Many sanguinary conflicts have doubt
less been averted by its use, as the rug
ged, synonymous phrase, You are
lying sir, sirr has been known to give
offense to certain eccentric persons.
Many slang phrases are the embodi-
ment of polite spirit. When you are
out with the boys and exhibit in
meteoric flashes the slumbering hilarity
in your nature, to be told that you are
intoxicated strikes sensitive chord in
your breast; but to be accosted with
what an elegant load you have got
brings smile of assent and satisfaction
to your countenance every time. Gentle
men never acknowledge to being drunk.
1t is a .still' or jag they have on.
The word drunk applies only to tramps.
They are synonymous terms. Every
acute intellect will recognize this sub
tie shade of meaning. Gentlemen Of
pugilistic proclivities are very careful
in their language. They appreciate the
modifying effects of slang idioms and
are particular to employ them in speak
ing of their encounters. Who ever
heard champion of the ring say that
he gave his antagonist black eye or a
bloody nose? He prefers, in spirit of
chivalry, more elegant terms, and will
say that he closed pepper or tapped
the claret.' If he knocks his opponent
down he will say considerably that he
sent him to grass If he gains victory
he will not injure the feelings of the
vanquished party by boasting that he
thrashed him, but will pour balm upon
his wounds by stating politely that he
done him up
"The parallel between slang phrases
and rugged English continued the
professor, .may be drawn still farther.
No man is SO devoid of fine feeling as to
acknowledge that he has pawned an
article. It is less shocking to hint with
wink that his uncle has it, or that it
is in .hock,' or even that he has hung
it up The expressions exhibit the
deed from humorous point of view.
In all walks of life we find this same
endeavor at politeness. A thief is called
sfiy man or crook, bribe-taker
is called 'boodler,' and swindlers are
called .bunco steerers' and saw dust
men, This is as it should be. The
English language, devoid Of its figura
tive idioms, is simply brutal. This ac
counts for the birth of the word dude.
tits far more elegant than its synonym
fool The ruthless small boy might
hesitate at the latter, but the former hi
can shout out at the top Of his lung
whenever some trifle of humanity ma,
be blown across his path. A slang
term that has peculiar significance i
"a chippy chaser This is applied t.
the prosecutors of honorable working
girls. They stand upon the street cor
ners until some pretty girls pass by
and then follow them block after blocl
, talking in loud voice and otherwis
annoying them. 1t is gratifying t
know that they are generally left.
This last expression is applicable +
those who fail to attain the objects o
! their desires. The 'chippy chaser
successful in making the clandestin
acquaintance he seeks, and in making
an appointment for some future even
ing, is, as rule, stood up Thi
means, in unvarnished English. that b
8 stands for hour after hour at the ap
: pointed place awaiting the arrival &
. the expected female, probably in vic
lent rain or snow-storm. for 'chipp
!, chaser never gives up hope, while th
, honest girl is possibly sleeping in he
!. bed.
"Here again the politeness OF Sian
J idioms is demonstrated. The synonyl
of .chippy chaser is the pitiable wor
sidiot, which is rather an unpleasar
! sounding term to be applied to a youn
man. The inventor of this idiom meri
: the hearty thanks Of the brotherhoo'
: ..It is obvious" remarked the pr
!, fessor in conclusion, .'from the for
going exposition that our slang orig
: mates from the innate delicacy of fee
:. ing, which is q characteristic Of Amer
{ cans from the small boy up. III
English language, when plainly spoke
is harsh and jarring and contains mai
unpleasant words. Men of fine feelir
d naturally express themselves in
$ figurasive or, to be less scholarly.
d Pickwickian sense. IN Y Nail q,
n Express.
: Boston Girl-"O, mother! ] d
! ) something awfully immodest at t